One Night, One Hour, One Bulb

Nate Tyler’s age (he’s in his 30s) makes him ineligible for the SCA-Mazda Conservation in Action Contest, but he still has a big idea in conservation.

The SCA alumnus (Lassen Volcanic National Park in the mid-80s) is the power behind Lights Out San Francisco, a campaign to get Frisco residents to turn off their lights from 8:00-9:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20. A modest energy-saving step, Lights Out is really intended to make a dramatic statement on our energy habits and their impact, specifically global warming.

“By getting everybody to turn off their lights for one hour,” says Nate, “we can show how one person can do something small yet have a significant impact on the environment.”

The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the TransAmerica Tower and other SF landmarks have already agreed to participate in Lights Out, and Los Angeles wants in, too, committing to pull the plug on the familiar Hollywood sign, among other sites. In fact, interest has been so strong that Tyler, a former Google spokesperson, is already planning to hold Lights Out America on March 29, 2008.

The Lights Out campaign also includes the distribution of tens of thousands of free compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) so when you turn the lights back on, you’re using less energy and reducing related emissions.

Members of SCA’s Bay Area Conservation Leadership Corps and SCA alumni are volunteering to support Lights Out and, as you might expect, ex-Googler Tyler has a cool website, so check it out, mark your calendars, and see the light…in the dark.